Well, I'm confused. I always thought something ironic meant sort of an opposite meaning. Example - A sign that reads "welcome to beautiful Green Forest" - - and all the trees have been cut down. Or better yet, the 2nd place photo in the Irony Challenge. So when I saw the winning photo for irony, I was confused and figured I was wrong. So I went to dictionary.com and it states "The use of words to express something different from and often opposite to their literal meaning.".
I'm not complaining, I didn't even enter this challenge, and congrats to the winner. I guess I'm just surprised that so many people misunderstood what irony is.
(The winning photo to me is funny, but not a sample of irony.)
Am I alone on this? I know that each challenge is interpreted a little differently, but so many comments were left on the winning photo about how ironic it was.
The literal meaning of the sign is the road is a dead end, the none literal meaning relates to the the fact it's in a graveyeard. Hence, I'd say, the disparity between literal and non-literal meaning is ironic.
I think you missed the point. The cemetary symbolizes the immortal memories of those who perished. Although the body is dead, the memories and love lives on. Hence the irony with the dead end sign.
Ouch. I think I pulled a muscle with that stretch.
The thing is, there is more than one definition of irony. For example, the definition I used is, "Incongruity between what might be expected and what actually occurs." I felt that my image displayed this, but alot of people didn't get my image. Oh well. 21st place out of 131 insn't all bad:)
We are here from all over the word and we never can understand things similary. Like what is nice to do or what is a good breakfast. Even next-door man do not understand this same humor as you. Is this not so?
I think that the discription for irony was to vague and there were to many interuptations for the challenge. Seems around here if things aren't spelled out word for word those who can't see out of the little box can't handle it.
I think that the discription for irony was to vague and there were to many interuptations for the challenge. Seems around here if things aren't spelled out word for word those who can't see out of the little box can't handle it.
I'd personally prefer more vague challenge definitions.
I think that the discription for irony was to vague and there were to many interuptations for the challenge. Seems around here if things aren't spelled out word for word those who can't see out of the little box can't handle it.
I'd personally prefer more vague challenge definitions.
So do I, it starts such interesting threads to keep me amused throughout the day :-)
On a roadsign, the term "dead" is used figuratively (except in certain large cities), but for cemeteries it is obviously being used literally. The unexpected juxtaposition is what creates the irony.
When you are driving and see a "dead end" sign you generally DON'T expect to see actual dead bodies, except in ...)
This may be one of the reasons many communities are changing their signage to read "No Outlet" instead ...
irony [Gr. eironeia > dissembling, an antonym for alazon, a bully or braggart.
Whether deliberate or incidental, the author or speaker demands that the audience perceive a concealed meaning that lies beneath his surface statement.
This points toward an essential ingredient of subtlety for an ironic intent to succeed. The subtlety, as well, requires a capability on part of the audience to perceive the finesse.
On the classic Greek stage, this (also) was not always a given. When it was not, I speculate, the audience was ridiculed, which, in turn, points at a latent use of irony, namely the only means to defend a finer sense against a barbaric one.
